American League pitchers lead way in All-Star win

SportsDirect Inc.July 16. 2013 11:47PMThe New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect eighth inning in his final All-Star Game as the visiting American League snapped a three-game losing streak in the 84th edition at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, winning 3-0.

Rivera emerged from the bullpen with Metallica's "Enter Sandman" blaring from the loudspeakers as players from both teams and the sellout crowd gave the all-time saves leader a standing ovation as he stood alone on the field.

Jose Bautista, J.J. Hardy and Jason Kipnis drove in runs for the AL, which shut out the NL for the first time since 1990 after losing 8-0 last season — the first back-to-back shutouts in All-Star Game history. Joe Nathan yielded a two-out double to Paul Goldschmidt in the ninth inning before completing the three-hitter.

It appeared the All-Star Game debut of Mets' right-hander Matt Harvey was not going to be successful when Mike Trout led off the game with a double and Robinson Cano was hit by a pitch. But Harvey struck out Miguel Cabrera, got Chris Davis to fly out and struck out Bautista before pitching a perfect second.

The AL snapped a 17-inning All-Star Game scoreless streak when Cabrera led off the fourth with a double, moved to third on Davis' line-drive single to right off first baseman Joey Votto's glove and scored on Bautista's sacrifice fly.

The first 13 NL batters were retired in order — including six in the second and third innings by winning pitcher Chris Sale — before Carlos Beltran singled to left off Felix Hernandez. Mets third baseman David Wright, who received the largest ovation during pregame introductions, singled in his final at-bat in the seventh.

Hardy produced an RBI fielder's choice in the fifth inning and Kipnis added a run-scoring double in the eighth.

Cano injured

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano had X-rays on his right knee after leaving Tuesday's All-Star Game in the first inning when he was hit by a 97-mph Matt Harvey fastball.

X-rays were negative and CBSSports reported that Yankee nation can stop holding its breath. Cano was hit more on his quadriceps than the knee and he is expected to be fine.

"I tried to go in," Harvey said on the Fox television broadcast. "That sometimes happens. I feel terrible. My apologies definitely go out to him."

After being hit, Cano went to first but was replaced by Boston's Dustin Pedroia after Miguel Cabrera struck out.

Cano has a .302 average with 21 home runs and 65 RBI while playing in all 95 games for the Yankees prior to the All-Star break.